The engine exibited overheating problems intermittently. The probem was seemingly solved after realizing that the timing belt was "loose" by looking beneath the front cover. As the back side of the belt drives the water pump using contact, it seemed entirely logical to inspect the entire drive, lubricating and replacing anything suspicious. I took a tensioner from a salvage car replacing what I suspected to be the problem as everything else is fine including the belt. All worked perfect for three weeks then at idle, the timing belt jumped position and the engine knocked and ran terribly -we shut off immediately. Both tensioners seemed to be good taking an exceptional amount of pressure to compress. I can't imagine the belt being able to "jump" time as the wrap around the shafts are entirely sufficient so long as there remains pressure on the idler. On opening the front cover this last time, much slack of the belt lay between the camshaft pulleys with the lower end being tight. As I rotated the left bank cam, pulling up the slack in the belt, the tensioner took up the slack and the belt is again tight. Before replacing the belt and tensioner, is there anything else that I need to consider?

The previous reply to my question references a serpentine belt which does not exist on my engine. The questions that I'm asking are:1. Have there been issues with the timing belt tensioner on the '95 3.5 Chrysler engines that would account for irregular slack in the belt. 2.What is the frequency that the tensioner is recommended to be changed as the car was third hand when we got it as a gift. 3. What would be the symptoms of a tensioner in poor condition?The previous reply to my question references a serpentine belt which does not exist on my engine. The questions that I'm asking are:
1. Have there been issues with the timing belt tensioner on the '95 3.5 Chrysler engines that would account for irregular slack in the belt.
2.What is the frequency that the tensioner is recommended to be changed as the car was third hand when we got it as a gift. 3. What would be the symptoms of a tensioner in poor condition?

1. If this belt were on a table aside of a new belt right out of the box it would be extremely difficult to see any difference. The water pump was replaced brand new. The pulleys were inspected and brushed clean. The tensioner was lubricated and assurred that it pivots freely -- the idler bearing was lubricated and spins like a roller skate wheel.2. The belt IS under tension at this time as it was at the time I put it in. This tensioner is seemingly doing its job as the belt remains under tension.3. I presume from your answer that this is not an uncommon event. When a customer comes into your shop do you recommend changing the tehsioner at the same time that the belt is replaced. Are both generally replaced at the same time although the factory references the belt only for replacement?4. Have you experienced this problem before finding that this is the actual rememdy.5. Is there a possibility that a cam shaft bearing could be at fault instead.1. If this belt were on a table aside of a new belt right out of the box it would be extremely difficult to see any difference. The water pump was replaced brand new. The pulleys were inspected and brushed clean. The tensioner was lubricated and assurred that it pivots freely -- the idler bearing was lubricated and spins like a roller skate wheel.
2. The belt IS under tension at this time as it was at the time I put it in. This tensioner is seemingly doing its job as the belt remains under tension.
3. I presume from your answer that this is not an uncommon event. When a customer comes into your shop do you recommend changing the tehsioner at the same time that the belt is replaced. Are both generally replaced at the same time although the factory references the belt only for replacement?
4. Have you experienced this problem before finding that this is the actual rememdy.
5. Is there a possibility that a cam shaft bearing could be at fault instead.

I believe we've come to the end of possibilities in this scenario. I seriously hope that the results of this effort will remedy the problem for the duration of our ownership of this car. Thanks.I believe we've come to the end of possibilities in this scenario. I seriously hope that the results of this effort will remedy the problem for the duration of our ownership of this car. Thanks.

after driving, put the Tribute in park and turn off. The ignition will not release the key. I have to turn back on and move the shift up and down several times before it releases the key.after driving, put the Tribute in park and turn off. The ignition will not release the key. I have to turn back on and move the shift up and down several times before it releases the key.

AnonymousMar 11, 2014

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When nextbook turned on goes straight to grey screen that needs password, I have tried resting tablet but does not work, I can't do anythingWhen nextbook turned on goes straight to grey screen that needs password, I have tried resting tablet but does not work, I can't do anything

AnonymousMar 11, 2014

i cannot see my contact name list but when some one call me i see her/his name?i cannot see my contact name list but when some one call me i see her/his name?

Hello ive read you questions and the other experts answers and they all have good points i just wanted to give you my point of viewthis belt tensioner is to be locked down so it doesnt move once the initial adjustment is made. what i like to do is turn the crankshaft by hand to pull tight the belt on the non tensioner side and this is when i lock down the tensioner .

and yes when a car like this comes in we alway recomend water pump, tensioner , and any other idler pulleys that each vehicle may need also we take care of any oil leaks at the same time . oil or antifreeze getting on the belt will deminish the belt life.and on your question on the cam brgs being loose , the cam is the length of the engine and it wont move enough to cause this kind of problem you would see a large oil leak first.

just a notewe do alot of customer cars that families take on vacation, and i dont want to be the one to ruin someones vacation by trying to save a buck. and when you are paying labor to have a belt replaced you expect it to reliable again.let me know if i can help with anything elsepaul

Sounds like possibly a bearing or mount is loose somewhere. I'd take that cover off and pull the plug wires. Turn the motor over watching the belt rotate. See if anything starts moving irregularly. If it does, you've found the problem. The way they are set up; if any belt play happens it's immediately effected by the tension pulley. This results in the belt not skipping and jumping the pulleys.

Since it's jumping, there's a reason and it will lie somewhere in the belts drive range. Find out where, get the belt off and try moving all of the pulleys. See if there's a bearing out on one of them. Maybe just a simple bearing problem turning into a nightmare. I've seen it before and I'm sure I'll see it again. I've had a simple idler pulley bearing go out and end up destroying a belt completely. Even though it never locked up; still got my $65 belt.

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61,249 Answers

Re: 1995 Chrysler 3.5 liter timing issue-what indicates...

The timing belt is supposed to last 105,000 miles (I have the same engine in my car and own a factory service manual), remember that a tensioner is set to the proper tension when a new belt is installed and that setting is locked, it does not tension the belt as it wears and stretches, therefore a belt will loosen with time, as tension setting is a one time deal, i.e. when the new belt is installed, don't mean to repeat but I want you to understand this about the function of the tensioer. There is no pre-determined mileage to replace a belt tensioner, the only time that becomes an issue is when the bearing in the pulley fails or the tensioner is otherwise damaged.

One or two foot notes: inspect all the pulleys and idlers as well as the water pump, follow the proper tensioneradjustment procedure, look for loose or worn bearing and or wear to the pulleys and idlers, use a factory belt, they are the very highest quality.One or two foot notes: inspect all the pulleys and idlers as well as the water pump, follow the proper tensioneradjustment procedure, look for loose or worn bearing and or wear to the pulleys and idlers, use a factory belt, they are the very highest quality.

Chances are the belt and tensioner is not the problem. Your water pump is. Check the bottom of the water pump and see if there is some anti-freeze comming from the weep hole. If there is then that is the problem. Anti-freeze will cause a serpentine belt to come off because of its lubricating properties

OR

If there are not leaking fluids dripping on the belt that would cause it to come off then, it sounds like a belt alignment problem. Chances are the belt and tensioner is not the problem. Your water pump is. Check the bottom of the water pump and see if there is some anti-freeze comming from the weep hole. If there is then that is the problem. Anti-freeze will cause a serpentine belt to come off because of its lubricating properties

OR
If there are not leaking fluids dripping on the belt that would cause it to come off then, it sounds like a belt alignment problem.

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www.allpar.com/fix/timing-belt-22.htmlReplacing the timing belts on Chrysler and Dodge 2.2 and 2.5 liter ... Then loosen the bolts on the crankshaft pulley and the water pump pulley so they will be ...

repairpal.com > Questions > Chrysler > Cirrus > 1997 Chrysler CirrusJul 4, 2010 - WATER PUMP WANT HOLD WATER LONG AND NOW IS MAKING A ...If you change the water pump,you need to also change the timing belt ...

Timing belts last a 100,000 miles easy. Even the owner's manuals will
generally state the replacement interval for a timing belt or
serpentine belt to be over 100k 5 years. It is just inspections up till
then.

Place a large drain pan under the radiator drain plug. Drain and properly contain the engine coolant.

This procedure requires removing the engine timing belt and the auto tensioner. To help assure proper alignment at assembly, it may be helpful to set the engine at TDC on No. 1 compression stroke. This should align all timing marks on the crankshaft sprocket and both camshaft sprockets.

Remove the accessory drive belts and crankshaft damper.

Remove the right engine mount. This requires safely supporting the engine with a floor jack and wood block so the mount can be removed.

Remove the timing belt covers.

Remove the timing belt and tensioner.

Fig. Fig. 3: Remove the water pump mounting bolts

Fig. Fig. 4: Pull the water pump assembly off of the engine and inlet pipe

Fig. Fig. 5: Open the water pump housing and examine for cracks or damage

Fig. Fig. 6: Replace the water pump housing gasket using a scraper tool

The most problematic engine issue is replacement of the timing belt, tension pully and water pump at around 70,000 miles. Failure of the timing belt can damage and possibly ruin the engine. Other common problems are low or sludged oil (if not changed intermittantly), loss of engine coolant, and bad glow plugs.

There isn't one. The serpentine belt is not tightened by a screw but by a device called a "belt tensioner" its a pully type wheel on a heavy spring. The spring gives you the pressure on the belt. Look at a manuel for this car. You can get one at any car parts store. It will show you. If you are not getting enough tension, you either need to replace the belt (as its stretched out because of age) or replace the belt tensioner (as the spring is not as springy as it used to be). Both of these should be replaced by someone with some experience as the 1995 lebaron does not have alot of room in the engine compartment for you to really see what you doing or get your hands in (if there big).

get the #1 piston top dead center, then line up the camshaft gear and the crank gear to line up with the timing marks on the engine after you find those marks slip the belt on making sure all the timing marks havent changed then check to see if the tensioner for the belt is set with the proper tension then check to see if the belt isnt slipping remember it will be spinnig at high RPMS

Only the 2.3 liter diesel is an interference engine. The 2.3 Liter gas is not an interference engine. I would guess the belt was not installed correctly. The belt broke so the cam was then out of alignment with the crankshaft. Unless you aligned it correctly it will not start. BTW, the belt must be replaced every 60,000 miles.
I asume you have the timing cover off, put it back on and set the crankshaft at the 0 mark on the timing cover, remove the cover and don't touch the crank. near the bottom of the cam gear is a protruding piece of plastic with three raised areas, set the cam timing mark at the first pointer, closest to the passenger side . on the back part of the timing cover is a v shaped pointer set the distributor gear mark at the pointer, remove the distributor cap and verify that the rotor is pointing at #1. Loosen both bolts on the tensioner and using a pry bar carefully pry the tensioner away from the distributor gear, tighten the small bolt on the tensioner. install the new belt starting at the crank, then the distributor gear, then the cam, then over the tensioner pulley. loosen the small bolt and the tensioner will adjust automatically. tighten the tensioner bolts and turn the engine over by hand 2 or 3 times and make sure all marks line up ( the cam mark should now be at the center pointer with the crank at 0). I find it handy to paint a reference mark for the crank inside the timing cover.

Before replacing or installing the old belt you need to check all of the pulley's that the belt rides on for play. Pay special attention to the spring loaded tensioner pulley. They can sieze and cause the belt to come off.

2.0L EnginesSee Figures 11, 12 and 13The
accessory drive belt for 2.0L engines has no provision for manual belt
adjustment, since these engines use an automatic belt tensioner. Drive
belt slack is taken up by the automatic tensioner.Movement of
the automatic tensioner assembly during engine operation is not a sign
of a malfunctioning tensioner. This movement is the tensioner
self-adjusting and is required to maintain constant belt tension.The belt tensioner has a belt length indicator. If the indicator marks are not between the MIN and MAX marks, the belt must be replaced.Fig. 11: Drive belt routing-2.0L SOHC engine with A/CFig. 12: Drive belt routing-2.0L SOHC engine without A/CFig. 13: Drive belt routing-2.0L DOHC engine